He figures to cash in after starting eight games last year and making $700,000. At 340 pounds, bulk isn’t a program and he can play either guard spot. Could he be the Jaguars’ top offensive line target?

Rodger Saffold: St. Louis

A former second-round pick as a right tackle, he started five games last year at right guard and some teams may view the 332-pounder as being a full-time interior lineman.

Ryan Wendell: New England

Top center Alex Mack (Cleveland) is likely out of the Jaguars’ equation after being given the transition tag. Wendell, 28, played 1,218 snaps for the Patriots and would fill huge need.

Free-agent series

Part of the seven-part series analyzing the Jaguars entering free agency, which starts Tuesday.

The Jaguars have five offensive tackles under contract after re-signing backups Cam Bradfield and Sam Young to two-year contracts on Thursday.

Left tackle Luke Joeckel (broken leg) is expected to be healthy for off-season workouts next month and right tackle Austin Pasztor showed enough to be penciled in as a starter.

Now about rebuilding the Jaguars’ interior offensive line.

All of it.

Literally.

Center Brad Meester (16 starts): Retired.

Right guard Uche Nwaneri (16 starts): Cut.

Left guard Will Rackley (11 starts): Likely demoted.

Offensive Priority A for the Jaguars when the free agent negotiating period opens Saturday is kick-starting the process of finding answers for all three spots.

Do they spend early money on a guard with starting experience?

The top free agents under 30 that fit this requirement are Kansas City’s Geoff Schwartz and Jon Asamoah, Denver’s Zane Beadles and, if the Jaguars view him as a guard, St. Louis’ Rodger Saffold (who played tackle and guard last year).

Do they write a big check to secure a starting center?

Cleveland’s Alex Mack was given the transition tag, meaning the Browns can match any offer and have five days to do so. The Jaguars may not want to wait around that long.

Or do they spread the money around to bring in 3-4 players to compete for the three spots?

There are 15 guards and eight centers who are younger than 30 and played more than 100 snaps last year.

Finding stability up front is a must.

In just the last two years, the Jaguars have used four left tackles, six left guards, one center, one right guard and four right tackles.

The Jaguars feel Joeckel is the linchpin of the rebuild.

Drafted No. 2 overall last year, Joeckel began the year at right tackle before shifting to left tackle when Eugene Monroe was traded in Week 5 to Baltimore for fourth- and fifth-round picks. Joeckel, though, was injured in the first quarter of his first game.

Joeckel underwent surgery and his rehabilitation has him on track. His injury, though, provided an opportunity for the Jaguars to find out about Pasztor and Bradfield.

Pasztor started the final 12 games at right tackle (he didn’t miss a snap) and the college guard-turned-NFL tackle showed athleticism and toughness.

Bradfield has starting experience at both tackle spots, making him the front-runner to be the swing player.

Inside, it’s conceivable both guards aren’t on the roster yet.

If the Jaguars sign a guard (or two) in free agency, it could be a sign they like the draft prospects at the center position or want to give Jacques McClendon, Mike Brewster and Patrick Lewis a chance to compete for the spot in the off-season. None has any NFL playing experience at center.

The emphasis is obvious: Improve a unit that has allowed a combined 50 sacks the last two years and a running game that averaged only 3.3 yards a carry last year.

Hopeful that the draft produces a center and an OL to accomodate free agency aquisition of : QB, WR, RB, DT, DE, OG. With 60 Million Dollars cap space I believe we can fill the empty cupboard. Even simple one year deals would help replenish what we will have lost the last two years.

The biggest roster question mark is at QB still. You can't ask any OL to pass block for an eternity ( see Super Bowl ) and w/o a dual threat QB or a MJD this team can have the best OL in the NFL, yet give up sacks.
Manning, with all his experience and knowledge, couldn't get the ball out against Seattle because they rushed 6 and 7 regularly, knowing the play was a pass. Scheme is what did them in. Conversely, the Seahawks open the game with a between tackles run and a Harvin sweep (for 20 yards). When WR's couldn't get space and the pocket collapsed, Wilson took off knowing where he had clear sailing.

There is no excuse to not bring in the veteran QB with this skill set. I keep hearing about our "Seattle connection" but until we swop out Henne for Wilson it has ZERO merit. Otherwise, we are a world apart, separated by 2000 miles of turf. Turf that only a "TEBOW" could cover.
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On the other side of the Ball:

Broncos release Champ Bailey
Former UGa standout a casualty of the team's salary cap
By Pat Graham Thu, Mar 6, 2014 @ 10:38 pm | updated Thu, Mar 6, 2014 Edited for length
“I consider it a privilege to have coached Champ these last three years,” Broncos coach John Fox said.
“There’s no doubt he played an integral role in establishing a culture of winning here.
“Aside from his natural ability, Champ set a great example with his hard work and relentless commitment
to mastering his craft.”
The 15-year veteran mentored many teammates, teaching them the tricks of the cornerback trade.
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This would be a good player for the Jaguars to get in FA. I would like to see a two year deal for Champ.
This would free up the LB's to blitz between tackles to get pressure on the QB. Another dynamic it
would add is making the OT's choose whom to block, a LB or a DE!